Let's Get This Party Started! - Dancing Penguins

I'm sharing another project at My Craft Spot today and am happy to be sharing it here on my blog too!  My youngest guy LOVES penguins.  When he celebrated his birthday last month, I made a few different cards for him, including this one with penguins.

The penguins are from Zooballoo.  I stamped their faces with Peachy Keen stamps.  Don't they look so happy?  The penguins were attached to the background paper which I had stamped with a Peachy Keen cloud stamp.  Each penguin is on an Action Wobble for double the dancing fun!  The snowflake border was created with a Martha Stewart punch and some of the extra snowflakes were added to the card front - with little gems for extra celebratory glitter.

At the bottom of the card, I strung some Blueberry Blue baker's twine from My Craft Spot, threaded through a little blue button.  I finished things off with a cheerful sentiment from My Craft Spot's Birthday Wishes stamp set.  This set is perfect for all your birthday card creations!

Thanks so much for visiting!  Have a fabulous day! 

13

Father's Day Card

There's a Father's Day theme at both My Craft Spot and Fantabulous Cricut this week.  As I don't have a father, I made this card for my children to give my husband.

I used Campin' Critters for the card base and the deer.  The grass is from Zooballoo and the sign is from Freshly Picked.  I've had Freshly Picked for about 18 months and only JUST took it out of the packaging last week.  It's one of those cartridges that I purchased as it was a good deal but didn't really have a use for it.  Oh well!  It worked perfectly for the sign on this card.  I used my Cuttlebug to emboss the sign and grass. 

The sentiment on the sign is from My Craft Spot's Build a Valentine set and the DAD border is from My Craft Spot's Tiny Tags.  I also added a bit of vintage baker's twine (also from My Craft Spot) for the fish line.  I finished things off with some inking, brads, doodling and fun googly eyes. 

Please head over to My Craft Spot and Fantabulous Cricut to check out the rest of the amazing projects, get more details on these challenges, and then link up a project of your own! 

  

18

Some Bunny Loves You Treat Bags

With Easter less than a week away, this week's challenge at My Craft Spot will inspire you to finish up all those last minute projects!  For our Easter Challenge, I decided to make some little treat bags for my favourite little people.  (That said, my 14 year old son is now taller than my daughter and me!!)

With the help of my Gypsy, I designed the little treat bags by welding various images from Easter 2010, Plantin SchoolBook and George and Basic Shapes.  The sweet little bunnies are from Paper Doll Dress Up and I used cuts from George and Basic Shapes for the noses and ears.  The fences are from Wall Décor and More (with the roosters cut off) and the grass is from Zooballoo.  Everything is inked.

 

I filled each bag with some kraft grass and punched out the "Some bunny loves you" sentiments (from My Craft Spot's NEW Happy Easter stamp set) with Stampin' Up punches, adhering them to souvlaki skewers which I cut to size.  I finished everything off with some buttons and Cotton Candy baker's twine from My Craft Spot.

Please head over to My Craft Spot to see the rest of the wonderful Easter projects created by other members of the design team - and then link up your own project for a chance to win this week's prize! 

32

My Heart Belongs to You - Lion Card

This week's theme at Fantabulous Cricut is "In like a lion".  We're challenging you to use any sort of cat on your project (i.e., a lion, tiger, feline domesticus, etc.).

I chose to use a lion and used Zooballoo to make my shape card.  Even the grass is from Zooballoo - although I did add an extra layer of grass underneath which was hand cut using my Martha Stewart "grass" scissors.  The lion's mane was run through the Cuttlebug using D'Vine Swirls.  I did some inking and doodling, added Glossy Accents to the nose and attached some googly eyes.  I also punched a little heart for my lion.

Inside, I stamped a sentiment from My Craft Spot's Always and Forever set.  The little heart next to my signature is from the same set and was strategically placed to cover a little ink mishap I had!  I decided to sign my card so that the heart didn't look out of place but will write more in the card later.  I will give this to my husband on Thursday - to celebrate 23 years since the day we first met.  I'm so thankful that our paths crossed back on March 15, 1989!!

Please head over to Fantabulous Cricut to see what the rest of the design team has created.  There's a lot of new talent this term and there are some great projects to see this week!  Don't forget to link up your own "In like a lion" craft too!

24

Cricut Craftin' Friends Blog Hop - Day 1

We're so happy you could join us for this hop celebrating the one year blogiversary of Cricut Craftin Grammy (Suzanne).  Suzanne has asked a few of her Cricut message board friends, as well as her design team friends (Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog, Lasting Memories and Sweet Sassy Diva), to join her in this two day blog hop. The participants are allowed to share anything creative they wish to share using a Cricut (or other die cut machine if they do not have a Cricut).

Suzanne has some blog candy to share.  In order to be eligible to win her candy, you need to leave comments along each blog each day.  If you leave a comment on all the blogs both days, your name will be entered into the random drawing twice. The random winner will receive a $25 gift card from their choice of Michaels or Joanns.

This is a TWO-DAY hop.  Be sure to check out both days so you don't miss any creativeness. As there is a large number of participants, Suzanne will give you until January 30th to post your comments.  Thanks for joining us!

Let's get hopping!! If you've hopped over from Faith Abigail at Faith Abigail Designs, then you are in the right place!! If you've just popped in to visit my blog or are reading this via email and you'd like to join our fun, then please click HERE to start at the beginning with Suzanne's blog.

For the hop today, I've created a birthday card.  I actually saw a card like this ages ago but I'm afraid that I no longer know to whom I should give credit.  (Please tell me if you know, so I can add the information here.)  I created the card based with window using George and Basic Shapes.  The scalloped frame is from Mini Monograms.  I used Doodlecharms for the bear (and added paws) and Pooh Font for the swing.  The vine and leaves are from ZooBalloo.  The sentiment is from My Craft Spot's Inside & Out Set #2. 

Blog Candy!

Here at Small Bits of Paper, I am giving away a $10US gift certificate to My Craft Spot!! To be eligible to win this prize, you need to be a follower of my blog and leave a comment on this post.  Come back and leave a comment on tomorrow's post for a second chance to win!  (I am also giving away another $10 gift certificate for My Craft Spot HERE.)  Both winners will be announced February 2.

Now it's time to hop over to visit Stacia of Happy and Scrappy.

List of Blog Hop Participants:

Suzanne http://cricutcraftingrammy.blogspot.com/

Also posting for Cindy who does not have a blog

Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog Friends

Charlotte http://alittlebitofdetail.blogspot.com/

Melanie http://melaniemakes.blogspot.com/

Beckie http://justbcreativecrazy.blogspot.com/

Faith Abigal http://www.faithabigaildesigns.com/

Kate http://smallbitsofpaper.blogspot.com/

Lasting Memories

Stacia http://happyandscrappytoo.blogspot.com/

Michele F http://fishmememoriesandmore.blogspot.com/

Elizabeth http://visionsofpaper.blogspot.com/

Karen http://creationsbykw.blogspot.com/

Denise http://thruthelookingglass-glassgraffitix2.blogspot.com/

Michelle http://scrappinforkenzie.blogspot.com/

Jennasa http://findtimetocreate.blogspot.com/

Kimberly http://leokc34.blogspot.com/

Amy http://www.lovetocrop.com/

Message Board Friends

Terri http://craftmeaway.blogspot.com/

Brenda http:// friendscraftinwithfriends.blogspot.com/

Rachelle http://creationsbyrachelle.blogspot.com/

Shawnee http://quiverofangels.blogspot.com/

Sweet Sassy Diva Blog Friends

Lori http://www.scrappinmystressaway.blogspot.com/

Mindy http://grammiescraftroom.blogspot.com/

Tina http://tiggersscrapplace.blogspot.com/

Jen http://3catsandabug.blogspot.com/

50

Super Grover aka Super Uncle

Today's card isn't my usual type but I had such a fun time making it!  A few weeks ago, I saw a Super Grover card (I'm afraid I can't remember where) and was delighted to know that I had the cut on my Sesame Street Friends cartridge.  With my brother's birthday coming up, I knew I wanted to use the cut for his card.

I'm four years older than my brother and have such fond memories of him running around the house with a cape and helmet, letting us all know that he was Super Grover!!   He has since completed his graduate studies in biomedical engineering, but I couldn't resist the opportunity to remind him of yesteryear!!

Super Grover was cut with Sesame Street Friends - as was the sign above his head.  I hid the contours of "Sesame Street" and added "Super Uncle" with Jubilee.  (I don't have the Sesame Street font.)  I also created larger shadows for the sign using George and Basic Shapes.  The "Happy Birthday" sentiment was cut with Zooballoo.  On the smaller mat, I used a QuicKutz embossing folder and I used my score board to score lines on the larger mat.  I used an EK Success punch for the red border at the bottom of the card.

I actually saw my brother this morning (his birthday!) as he is in town for Easter weekend so was able to hand deliver the card.  It was such a delight to see his reaction.  He loved it and claims that Super Grover is still his favourite!

I will enter this card at Celebrate the Occasion, where we were to follow a sketch to create a birthday card, and at Birthday Sundaes, where anything goes this week.

Celebrate the Occasion sketch

34

"For You" - An Easter Card

If you are looking for the Fantabulous Cricut Spring Fling (Blog Hop), you will find it HERE.

If you are looking for the "It's a Basket Case" Blog Hop (Day 1), you will find it HERE.

On Sunday, I read a wonderfully inspiring post that touched the core of me and moved me deeply.  The post was written by K Andrew of Getting Cricky and you can read the post HERE.   (I left her blog feeling like a million dollars!)  She also posted about a challenge to create a project that portrays what inspires our hearts.  I really didn't think I would have time to complete this challenge by tomorrow's deadline, but I simply could not get the challenge out of my mind.  All week, I've been thinking deeply about what really inspires me.  I thought of my husband, and how he is my rock, my world, the air that I breathe.  I thought of my children and how I am incomplete without them and how they fill my heart so much that I think it's going to explode. I thought of my mum, for she has had an amazing influence on me and is somebody who loves and supports me through thick and thin.  I thought of the world of academia, and how my life holds a constant yearning to learn as much as I can.  I thought of various people in my life who have had and continue to have a significant impact on the person that I am.  With each thought I would have, I felt a tugging inside that I needed to keep digging to discover what it really is that truly inspires me.  And then I knew.  It came to me last night and although I didn't have time to make a project, the idea for a card came to mind and I knew exactly what to do.  I was up far too late, but I am so glad that I followed this through to completion.

I have a very personal and quiet faith, but it's very real all the same and it makes me who I am.  I would not be the person I am today if it was not for the joy granted to me through knowing that there is a God who loves me and who has his hand on me.  In the busyness of this Easter season, I made this card to remember the cross, what it means and the life-changing impact it has had on my life.

As a very young child, one of my favourite songs was:

Jesus is the shepherd

Guess who I am

Such a lovely secret

I'm his little lamb.

It was the words of this song that led me to choose the lamb for my card.  I suppose the lamb still represents me, looking to the cross and remembering the depth of its meaning.  And the "For You" is a reminder that Easter was and is for me - and for you.

When making this card, I was thrilled with the middle section but felt the top and bottom portions were lacking.  I knew I'd seen a card with a very pretty border and after a bit of a search, I remembered that it was Kimberly's Easter card at My Craft Spot.  Not only did I add a nice border to my card, but Kimberly's post also reminded me of the challenge at Celebrate the Occasion, which is to use a punch somewhere on the card.  The punched corners were just what I needed to finish things off!

Recipe:

Lamb - Paper Doll Dress Up, Cuttlebug D'Vine Swirls embossing folder

Cross - Pooh Font, Cuttlebug Distressed Stripes embossing folder

Grass - Zooballoo

Little hill - Wrap it Up

White border - Holiday Cakes

Corners - EK Success

Flowers - Michaels $1.50 bin punch

Butterfly embossing - Crafts Too

Sentiment - Stampin' Up

Linked at:

28

It's a Basket Case Blog Hop (with a giveaway!)

If you are looking for the Fantabulous Cricut Spring Fling Crawl (Blog Hop), please go HERE.

Welcome to the Basket Case Blog Hop, hosted by my dear friend Rhonda of Scrap Happens.  Rhonda is one of the kindest, most generous people I know.  She makes amazing mini albums - and regularly gives them away!  If you'd like to join in on this blog hop, you should start at Scrap Happens.  Perhaps you'll be the lucky winner of one of Rhonda's famous mini albums!

This hop is all about Easter baskets, bags and boxes - anything to hold those yummy Easter sweets!  If you've just arrived from Judy at Living Life and Loving It Every Day, you are in the right place!

 I decided that I would create a few different treat holders. 

I got the idea for these adorable little carrots from Scrappin and Happy.  I stumbled across her video tutorial and fell in love with the little boxes.  They're so easy to make!  They are cut using Tags, Bags, Boxes and More, with transparency behind the "window" and tissue grass used for the leaves.  I embossed two of the boxes with my Cuttlebug, but the embossing was splitting the paper as I assembled the boxes so I just left the next two.  I filled them with candy coated chocolates (called Smarties in Canada and the UK).

These little pillow boxes were cut from Easter 2010 and I added a bit of transparency behind the bunny.  I added a bit of trim, created by welding a zig-zag image from Easter 2010.  The little egg is from the same cartridge, inked and then speckled with a white Gelly Roll pen.  These boxes were SO quick and easy to make and I almost feel guilty posting them!  The pillow boxes are filled with Easter Kisses.  Fortunately, I purchased far too many Kisses as I was enjoying them more than I should have as I worked!

I LOVE the way these little boxes turned out.  I used a window box from Tags, Bags, Boxes and More, cutting the top layer slightly larger than the bottom.  Again, I used transparency behind the opening.  I made a slider band to secure the box and then added the darling little rabbit from Paper Doll Dress Up.  (I had actually forgotten about this rabbit and then saw Shelly's adorable creation at Shelly's Card Blog, so I must give her credit as I've modelled my band after seeing her fabulous little pouches!  In fact, these boxes were an afterthought to my blog hop creations because I wanted to make something with the little PDDU rabbit!!)  I used George and Basic Shapes for the pink nose and ears.  I filled these boxes with the most disgusting marshmallow bunnies!!  They looked good in the shop but they taste horrible - and close up, they look quite frightening too!!  Hopefully, the box makes up for them!!

And now for my giveaway!  Once again, Kimberly from My Craft Spot has generously donated a prize.  This time, it's some of her fabulous baker's twine.  One lucky winner will receive 10 yards each of five different colours!!  That's 50 yards (over 45 meters) total!!  You can find Kimberly's hand-dyed Crinkle Ribbon, baker's twine and clear stamps at My Craft Spot - all with FREE shipping to anywhere in Canada and the US.  (At the bottom of this post, you can see some of Kimberly's wonderful creations, made with her Crinkle Ribbon and baker's twine.)  

For your chance to win this giveaway, simply leave a comment on this post.  You do not need to be a follower of my blog.  However, if you are a follower, please leave a second comment telling me as such for an extra entry!   I will announce the winner on Tuesday, April 19.

Your next step is a visit to Audrey at Cute and Some.   Audrey is full of creativity and always has wonderful projects to share.  Enjoy the rest of the hop!

Here is the list of all participants in the It's a Basket Case Blog Hop:

• SCRAP HAPPENS
• You Had Me at Scrap
• Jean's Crafty Corner
• My Fantabulous Life
• C.C.'s Cards and Crafts
• Carolee's Scrappin' Spot
• Tamminnie's Designs
• Touched by a Butterfly
• Homemade Happiness
• Unique Monique
• Living Life and Loving It Every Day
• Small Bits of Paper
• Cute and Some
• Michele's Scrappy Creations
• 4 Goofballs
• Serenity Scrappers
• Love To Crop!
• Tryin' 2 Craft
• Minta's Creations
• Country Bumpkins Scrapper

Projects created by Kimberly of My Craft Spot:

Linked at:

67

FCCB Spring Fling and Giveaway

Welcome to Small Bits of Paper and the fifth Fantabulous Cricut Crawl...Fantabulous Cricut's version of a blog hop! 

It's Spring Time and everyone at Fantabulous Cricut has decided to have a Spring Fling!   Each design team member will be featuring an original Spring project that includes Pink, Green and Yellow on it, along with at least one Cricut cut.

If you've come from visiting Jennie at Earthy Scrap, you're in the right place! If you've just happened across my blog and would like to play along with our Fantabulous Cricut Crawl, start HERE.

Make sure to check out each DT member's blog for some awesome inspiration! There will be PRIZES along the way at some of our DT members' blogs AND there will be a Grand Prize up for grabs at FCCB for one participant that submits a "Spring Fling" project at FCCB!

For my project, I created a little Easter egg gift box.  I used Wrap It Up for the box and tag, and stamped them with pink flowers and green leaves, using Stampin' Up stamps.  Before cutting the box, I replaced the image of a bride with an egg from Easter 2010.  I adhered a transparency behind the window prior to assembling the box.  The little nest and branch were cut from Zooballoo.  I inked all the little bits and also embossed the nest.  For the tag, I used a sentiment from My Creative Time's "Color Me Happy" set.  I added some gems to the tag and finished off the box with some Raspberry Truffle Crinkle Ribbon from My Craft Spot.  

I am so excited to have prizes for THREE lucky blog hoppers!! 

Kimberly at My Craft Spot has generously donated TWO packages of Crinkle Ribbon.  My Craft Spot sells hand-dyed Crinkle Ribbon and baker's twine - and Kimberly has just come out with her own line of clear stamps, too!!  Don't forget, My Craft Time offers FREE shipping anywhere in Canada and the US.  (At the bottom of this post, I've added a slide show featuring some of Kimberly's fabulous projects, created with her quality Crinkle Ribbon and baker's twine.  They are SUCH fantastic products!!)  

Emma, from My Creative Time,  has generously donated a "Color Me Happy" stamp set for me to give to another lucky blog hopper!  I have a number of Emma's stamp sets and I LOVE them!  They are so fun - and super quality too!  There are lots of stamp sets to choose from at the My Creative Time shop.

For your chance to win, all you need to do is leave a comment.  You do not need to be a follower of my blog.  However, if you are a follower, please leave a second comment telling me as such for an extra entry! 

Now it's your turn! Let's see your Spring Fling projects!  Make sure to include a Cricut cut somewhere on your project and Pink, Green and Yellow!

Next stop...Larelyn's blog, Handmade From My Heart. Go see what she has in store for you today... And when you're done, make sure to link up your project to FCCB's Fantabulous Cricut Crawl post to be entered into the contest!

Happy Crawling!

Here's a list of all FCCB members in the Spring Fling Crawl:

1. Amy: http://lv2scrapandfibrofacts.blogspot.com/

2. Audrey: http://www.paperartbyaudrey.com/

3. Barb: http://bugbites411.blogspot.com/

4. Dana: http://iwycd.blogspot.com/

5. Evanna: http://evannas-paper-palace.blogspot.com/

6. Helen: http://www.craftingcricutmom.com/

7. Jenae: http://justjenae.blogspot.com/

8. Jennie: http://earthyscrap.blogspot.com/

9. Kate: http://smallbitsofpaper.blogspot.com/

10. Larelyn: http://handmadefromtheheart-designsbylarelyn.blogspot.com/

11. Lisa C: http://lisa-craft-blog.blogspot.com/

12. Lisa N: http://prettypaperprettyribbons.blogspot.com/

13. Maquel: http://papermaineiac.blogspot.com/
14. Marlene: http://scrappincookie.blogspot.com/

15. Rae: http://wahoocrafts.blogspot.com/

16. Robin: http://robinscreativecottage.blogspot.com/
17.Sandee: http://sandeeallen.blogspot.com/

18. Sarah: http://sarahvaitstamps.blogspot.com/

19. Saundra: http://luvscrappingtogether.blogspot.com/

20.Tamara: http://happylifecraftywife.typepad.com/blog/

 21.Tanya: http://nonnascraftcorner.blogspot.com/

I am going to enter my Easter egg box at Cricut Cardz Challenge where this week the challenge is to create a project for Easter, at Bitten By the Bug 2 where we are challenged to use the egg from Easter 2010 (or any egg), and at Cooking with Cricut, where the challenge is also all about Easter.

Slide show showcasing projects created by Kimberly at My Craft Spot.

142

My Teeth are Mithing

This is actually an old project, done back in 2009 - before I had a blog.  I had posted it on the Cricut Message Board (and even got a mention in the Chirp for it).  However, my friend, Tara, at Homemade Happiness, is giving away a Jubilee cartridge to celebrate her 100+ followers, so I thought that I would add this layout to my blog to demonstrate the fun that can be had with Jubilee!  It's not on my blog and I want to have a Jubilee link to it - so here it is!

I made this layout to treasure my youngest's toothless smile.  I used Jublilee for the "my teeth are mithing" lettering and then created a frame for it using Zooballoo.  I simply removed the snow in DS.  The teeth were from a file shared by OkieLadyBug.  I used Mickey Font for Egad, Paper Pups for the dog (and used DS to remove his two front teeth!!).  I also did some embossing with my Cuttlebug.

If you are interested in Jubilee, head over to visit Tara at Homemade Happiness!  

16

Ladybird Card

This is such a crazy time for me.  My semester ends next week, so there are lots of things to finish up before then - including my big seminar which I will present tomorrow.  I'm all set to go at this point though.  I'm just looking forward to next Thursday as I'll have 3 weeks of no classes!  I LOVE learning, but a break is always nice too and these past few weeks have been much busier than usual.

I did decide that I needed a break today and made a card to enter in a few challenges.  At My Craft Spot, Kimberly has challenged us to "Tie a Bow" and at BugBites,  Barb is challenging us to create a project with a Cricut bug cut. There is also a spring theme at Creative Cutter Room.

I cut the card using George and Basic Shapes.  I've been loving some of the stamp-shaped cards that I've been seeing but don't have Birthday Bash so I just designed one myself using George and Basic Shapes.  The tree stump and ladybird were cut from Create a Critter and I used Zooballoo for the grass layers.  I also punched some little flowers with an EK Success punch and another little punch that I found in a bargain bin at Michaels.  The background mat was embossed with a Crafts-Too butterfly embossing folder.  To finish things off, I added some ribbon, a button and some gems.

My ribbon is Buttercup Crinkle Ribbon from My Craft Spot.  It's part of the Springtime package.  I just LOVE this ribbon!  The ribbon has a hint more yellow to it than my picture shows.  (My Craft Spot sells both ribbon and baker's twine - and both have FREE shipping to Canada and the US!!) 

I've been passed a few awards in the past day or two:  the Versatile Blogger Award from Barb at BugBites, the Best Friend Blogger Award from Rae at Wahoo Crafts, and the Liebster Award from Mistyrose at Sweet Magnolia Rose.  Thank you so much, ladies, for thinking of me and honouring me with these awards.  To accept the awards, I must share 7 things about myself:
1. When I was in high school, I went on two French exchanges.
2. I love cats.
3. I used to get up early to be at the pool by 6am.  I don't anymore though - and it shows!
4. I was painfully shy growing up and read self-help books to overcome my shyness.  Now I'm just a bit quiet (except at home).
5. There are some songs that I listen to over and over and over.
6. I spend far more time on my homework than I should.
7. When I coached the school soccer team, I had far more students on my team than any other school as I didn't have the heart to cut anybody.  (Which brings me to my next point...)

I know that I am to pass the awards along, but I always find this such a difficult and stressful task.  I simply cannot choose... So, if you comment on this post, I hereby pass this award along to you!!

Finally, I will be involved in a few blog hops next month.  Make sure to come back and visit often for your chance to win some wonderful prizes - starting with the Autism Awareness Blog Hop this Saturday, April 2.

Now, off to My Craft Spot, BugBites and Creative Cutter Room to enter my card.  Then, it's back to work!

13

Make It Stop (Headless Snowman) Card

This week is WOW week at Serenity Scrappers.  WOW stands for "Week of Weather".  We have been challenged to create a project reflecting our favourite weather.  I actually did the opposite!

I HATE snow, but one of my dearest friends just loves it.  She has snowflake everything - snowflake towels, snowflake dishes, snowflake utensils, snowflake socks that she wears year-round, etc., etc.!  Whenever it snows, we blame her - and she's always swamped with "angry" calls during the first snowfall of the year.  I decided to make her a "threatening" card to drop at her house when the snow starts to fall this year.  I know she'll get a huge kick out of this. 

I used Winter Frolic for the snowman and all his accessories, which I glittered.  I used Design Studio to turn his smile into a frown.  The snowy mountains were cut with Zooballoo and run through the Cuttlebug, using a snow folder and a little butterfly folder (using only the little dots for the peaks).  The tree was cut from Christmas Cheer and I computer generated the sentiment.  I also added some little beads.

And now for the inside...

12

Fantabulous Cricut - Labour Day Challenge

Happy Labour Day!  I trust you are all enjoying a wonderful day off.  Here in Ontario, school starts up again tomorrow.  I hate that summer is over, but we've had such a good one with lots of family time.  Precious memories!

(Just an aside... In Canada, we love the letter "u"!  We use it in word's like labour, colour, honour, valour, savour, favour, etc.)

My sister recently had surgery to have part of her thyroid removed.  Thankfully, surgery went well and the cysts were benign.  She is recovering nicely.  For her post-op appointment, she asked me to make a card for the surgeon.  I thought this fit perfectly with our FCCB Labour Day Challenge!  Rachel sent me a picture of her surgeon, and I did my best to create a paper doll version of him.  Most of the images (including the hospital) were cut from Everyday Paper Dolls, but the hair and glasses were cut from Paper Doll Dress up and the grass was cut from Zooballoo.  I did have to trim the hair a bit!  I hand wrote Hospital, which was a big deal for me as I hate to hand write on my creations - plus, my dominant right arm is recovering from injury so my fine motor skills are causing me more grief than usual these days!

Come and join the fun at FCCB!  Your labour day creation can have anything to do with work - a particular job, a retirement, promotion, vacation from work, etc.  Just remember to create a new project and use your Cricut!

14

At the Zoo!

The challenge at Fantabulous Cricut is "At the Zoo"!  As soon as I heard the theme, I knew exactly what I wanted to do - all based on a stamp from Digital Doodling.  I am forever calling my youngest a cheeky monkey and was so excited to find the stamp (which I believe is/was a freebie).

I used Design Studio to manipulate the cage and shadow from My Community to fit the card.  I cut the shadow in black and the cage itself from metallic paper.  The grass was also cut from My Community, with contours hidden for the bottom layer.  I used Zooballoo for the vine and cut it in three layers - the stem, the leaves and then a silhouette of the leaves.  I did used a green gel pen on the leaves and grass and also inked the edges.  The monkey was cut from Create a Critter.  I used metallic brown paper for the bottom layer, velvet cardstock for the middle layer (which I cut twice) and regular cardstock for the top layer with which I then used flocking (given to me by my friend at Maganda Memories).  I added some black gems for the eyes and some glossy accents for the nose.  I printed off the sentiment and then cut the paper to size, using my Stampin' Up ticket corner punch.  The background paper is from a pad I received with my very first baby Cricut years ago.

If you haven't already done so, head over to Fantabulous Cricut for this week's challenge.  We'd love to see your zoo themed creation!

26

Fantabulous Cricut Challenge #18

This week, the challenge at FCCB is to create something with a cool treat (as an optional shape card).  I decided to go for a lemonade stand!  This card took me a bit more time than usual, but I am so pleased with the results that I say it was worth it!

I started by welding some shadows of the lower case letter "l" from Pooh Font Set.  (In case you haven't seen this cartridge, one of the fonts looks like bits of wood.  That's the font I used for this project.)  I resized the letters to get the look I was after.  I also welded a shape from George and Basic Shapes to be used as the back of the card.  I then cut the wood three times - twice on regular cardstock and once on some woodgrain pattern paper that I found. I was really trying to make the card look like it was made from planks, so the combined layers make the "wood" thicker than usual.  I ran the woodgrain layer through my Cuttlebug and also inked it.  I then assembled all the bits in the shape of a lemonade stand and added brads for nails. 

I then cut two layers of grass from Zooballoo (one was flipped in Design Studio).  I cut some little flowers (also from Zooballoo) and created centers for the flowers with a little punch.  I drew in the middle of the flowers with a Gelly Roll pen.

The little butterfly was cut from Paper Pups.  For the back layer, I used Design Studio to hide the inner contours before cutting.  I also used my Gelly Roll pen to draw a few spots on the butterfly's body, and turned up the top layer of wings for added dimension.  The tips of the butterfly's wings are glued to the window frame of the lemonade stand.

I used the creamer from Everyday Paper Dolls for a pitcher.  The little glass was made by welding the sleeping bag (!) from Everyday Paper Dolls to a little square with rounded corners from George and Basic Shapes.  I cut these images twice - once using transparency and once using a light yellow cardstock.  I recently purchased some vellum adhesive, and used this to adhere the cardstock to the transparency.  I very carefully adhered the bottoms of the pitcher and glass to the window frame.

On the inside of the card, I used a piece of sky patterned paper.  I also used Jasmine to cut some photo corners just to give the inside of the card a more polished look.

After all this, I remembered that I'm really not a huge fan of lemonade!  I do, however, love to stop at the stands set up by young entrepreneurs in the neighbourhood on the hottest of summer days.  The price of the lemonade is well worth the big smiles that come from serving a paying customer!

I will also enter this card at Cute Card Thursday where this week's theme is summer, at Aud Sentiments where the challenge is to use no sentiment, and at Cupcake Craft where the challenge is to use acetate somewhere on the project.

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CSN Giveaway and a Crossing Guard Card

I love summer nights – and I love the ambiance provided by solar lighting. CSNLighting has a huge variety of lighting options for all needs, but I am especially attracted to their solar light products. I love solar lights along garden paths or in gardens, but I also find them a great way to keep safe while camping. We place the lights near guy-wires and cords and also near the campfire (although not too close!). Solar lights are very portable and can be located where needed – and require no energy source! How perfect is that?!


If you would like to try some solar lights (or any other CSN product), enter my giveaway for a $40 gift certificate to be used at any of CSN’s 200+ stores. Just add a comment below and let me know what type of lighting you would choose if you won. Giveaway ends 12 midnight EST on July 7 and I will draw a random number to choose a winner on July 8.  Be sure to leave me a way to contact you should you be the lucky winner! (Contest open to residents of Canada and the United States only.)

Now for the Crossing Guard Card!

I made this card as a thank you for my youngest son's crossing guard.  Whenever I make her a card, I am sure to add an image of her STOP sign somehow.  For this card, the waves were cut with Zooballoo and layered.  I used my Creative Memories Decorative Trimmer for the sand layer.  All of the little creatures and the sun were cut from Create a Critter.  To make the sign, I used the shadow of the stop sign from Going Places and welded it to a rounded edge rectangle from George and Basic Shapes.  I also hid the contours of the letters.  I then cut a stop sign the same size (without the shadow feature and without hiding the contours of the letters) and simply cut a white bit of paper to go between the layers before attaching them.  I added a few tiny shells (taken from the hundreds I have left over from my Shell Seekers layout).  I also did a lot of inking.  The little crab, seal and sign are all popped.

Remember to come back tomorrow for the Canada Day Bog Hop and another giveaway (open to everybody)!!

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Spring Praise ~ Card

This card took the entire day to make - but that's because I had to create it in snippets of time.  It's been quite a day!  This card is unusual for me in that it does not have a recipient in mind.  I generally have an idea where my cards are going when I create them.  I'm sure I'll find somebody who needs it!

I found the verse on a digi-stamp at Crafting With Deedee's Digis.  As soon as I read it, I thought of Spring - with little flowers and butterflies - probably due to the "marvelous works" portion.  I knew exactly what I wanted to do.

With the exception of the grass, which was cut with Zooballoo, the images on this card were made with Walk in My Garden.  Papers were all from my scrap stash.

I am submitting this card for the weekly challenge at Crafting with Deedee's Digis.  I am also submitting it for Fantabulous Cricut's Challenge Me Monday, where we were encouraged to create an item using at least three flowers.   At Easy Craft Projects, we were challenged to use buttons, so I will submit there as well.

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Celebrate Life card

Last weekend, I was at Costco when I found a huge case of patterned cardstock for sale.  Of course, I snapped one up and couldn't wait to get home...  Most of the papers are not my style, unfortunately.  However, I did find some that I quite liked, including the choices I used for this card.

The tree is from Paper Pups, and the little bird and nest are from Zooballoo.  I used Mini Monograms for the scalloped circle.  I also did a bit of embossing and inked a sentiment with a stamp from SU.  Everything else was done with a punch.  There's lots of popping on here too.
I am entering this card in the Easy Craft Projects challenge as well.  This week, the theme is spring.  Spring is my favourite time of year - a time to celebrate new life!
I'd also like to give a bit of credit to Jeannie Phillips here.  Her Be My Tweetheart card was featured in the Cricut Chirp a few months ago and has been in the back of my mind since then.  I just loved that card!  I used her idea of the window into the tree to create my own card.  Thanks Jeannie!

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Shape Cards with Cricut

I learned some tips on making shape cards from Donna, this month's guest designer at Everyday Cricut.  She made a simple shape card using Hello Kitty.  You can find her card (with instructions) here.  I was so inspired to create a shape card myself and am pleased with how quick and easy it is.  I used Design Studio to weld image shadows together to create the card base.

My first card is the cute little elephant from Zooballoo.  I didn't plan for the flower to be right above her trunk, but think it turned out just perfectly there!  I added some glitter to the ears and trunk, and popped the trunk just a bit.  I added some eyes and a ribbon and cut a shape for the inside (on which to write), and voilà!

For my next card, I chose to use the little plane from New Arrival.  I cut the wings, tail, and propeller with different paper, and did some faux stitching with a white Gelly Roll pen.  I've never tried any faux stitching before, and think that this ink is perhaps not the best choice.  I'll have to do some research!  I popped the tail and bottom wing a bit, and added buttons where the windows should be.  (I had hidden those contours prior to cutting.)  I also cut an additional shape for the inside of the card.

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